To fill the newly-created void caused by the earlier-than-expected exit from the Village Cup, this Cricket Conference fixture was arranged for the Green between Reed’s “Friendly” side and Potten End. Potten End is a club advancing up the divisions in the Herts League having entered a couple of years ago in a standard too low for them and now having to win promotion each season to achieve their proper level. It is why their batsmen and bowlers feature strongly in the League’s record books as they easily wipe aside their opponents every year.
That said, 213 for 5, was a reasonably challenging total for them to chase on Sunday – or so we thought! Richard Barlow had reached a steady fifty before retiring and Will Heslam was just short of his ground after scoring 22. But starring with the bat was Mike Robertson who bludgeoned his way to 101 then also retired. Bill Mansfield had fun hitting 14 not out towards the end of the innings.
Despite an array of bowling talent on show, Reed were unable to take a wicket although there were 4 or 5 spillages and a couple of unsuccessful, but very adjacent, LBW appeals. Potten’s openers, James Pickard (75) and Will Hill (94) could not be parted and were both undefeated as they reached the target within 34 overs aided by 47 sundries.
Report submitted by PGB.
